U.S. lawmakers urge Blinken to issue 'do not travel' notice for Xinjiang
NEW YORK -- American lawmakers have raised concerns about U.S.-based tourism companies advertising trips to China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Republican Rep. Chris Smith from New Jersey and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley from Oregon sent letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and three tour companies on Thursday. As chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), they sharply criticized U.S. companies that encourage tourism to Xinjiang, where China stands accused of human rights violations.